CandleontheWater
Forever in love with Hathaway Browne
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2007
- Messages
- 3,399
Alright, I'll admit it, I was a hoop-de-doo skeptic. I'll admit I'm not a big fan of all things "country", not country music, country western dancing, country food, etc. I also didn't think that a show that has been running since, oh- 300 BC, could suffiently entertain a group of 7 adults ranging in age between 24 and 54. I had been to Hoop-de-doo once before in 1986 with my family, but I couldn't remember much about it. My parents also had been one other time on thier honeymoon. My father had fond memories of the show and his one request for the vacation was to go to Hoop-de-doo, so I grudingly made the ADRs for Thanksgiving eve.
I'll admit, I was wrong. We all LOVED Hoop-de-doo, we're totally converted and now are going to spread the good word.
We started out at the Wilderness lodge, having a few drinks after a hard day at MK. I was paranoid about not being late, and being sure I was at Pioneer Hall a prompt 30 mins before the show. I herded my reluctant family out of the bar and onto a boat by 8:30. Unfortunately, we did not need to be there that early. The earlier show had not let out, and they had just started to check in guests at 9:15. So, don't worry about rushing over there, 15 mins prior would be enough time to get in and get seated.
Check in was pretty effortless and we were assigned a table right up by the stage, next to the piano player. I wasn't sure at first whether floor seating was worth the extra money, but it was really nice to have a non-obstructred view and our seating choice proved crucial for events that unfolded later in the evening.
After being seated, our server quickly took our drink order. Beer and wine are included in the price, which delighted my family of lushes. The drinks are served in kinda small glasses, but our server was great and keep them filled throughout the course of the evening. The wine wasn't top quality, but it wasn't horrible. My father enjoyed the Sangria, and I got the blush wine and mixed it with Sprite to create my own spritzer, which was immediately copied by the tables around me. What can I say, I'm a trendsetter!
The food also came out quickly, and I was really worried about the quality and temperature. I know that it can be tricky to cook for hundreds of people, and I didn't have high hopes. I, however, was pleasantly suprised. The food was by no means gourmet, but for what it was, it was great. The temp. for all the food was great and the overall quality was good as well. The salad was nothing to write home about but it did the trick. The cornbread, on the other hand was excellent, and I could have chowed down on it all night. I don't eat fried chicken, but the rest of my family seemed to enjoy it, and I personally thought that the ribs were rather good. They were tender and flavorful. I also liked the potatoes, but who doesn't like mashed potatoes?
I didn't eat any of the beans either, but my dad and brother said they were good.
After they brought out the food, they started up the show. I didn't have high hopes for the show either, but it really suprised me. The show was very light-hearted and played in a very tongue and cheek manner. The cast members acted as if they knew the show was really cheesey, but they were determined to have a good time with it. I don't know if it was the later show, but they cracked jokes about the christmas decorations being up before Thanksgiving, and how long the show has been playing for, and even made fun of each other. It must have been one of the first "Christmas" themed shows, because there were a few mistakes, which made it all the more entertaining and endearing. I also really like puns and silly humor and there was plently of that to go around.
The best part of the show in my opinion was the very end. Remember that we were sat right up front and when they came around looking for people to participate in the pagent I immediately started waving my hands in the air. Well they came over and chose me, and also took my brother. He was laughing at me so hard, they figured that they were going to make him get up too! We both were taken back stage, given "costumes" and a few lines. I was the can-can girl and my brother was the Indian. We totally hammed it up and had a great time, and my brothers girlfriend got the whole thing on film! It definately was a fun experience, I'd highly recommend it!
I didn't get to eat the dessert because I was making my big stage debut, but my family happily ate mine and said it was great.
All in all, it was a wonderful time and really worth it. We thought the food was good for what it was, the show was cute and funny, and being part of the pagent was great. I'd highly suggest any Hoop-de-doo doubters to take another look, we're really glad we gave it a chance!
I'll admit, I was wrong. We all LOVED Hoop-de-doo, we're totally converted and now are going to spread the good word.
We started out at the Wilderness lodge, having a few drinks after a hard day at MK. I was paranoid about not being late, and being sure I was at Pioneer Hall a prompt 30 mins before the show. I herded my reluctant family out of the bar and onto a boat by 8:30. Unfortunately, we did not need to be there that early. The earlier show had not let out, and they had just started to check in guests at 9:15. So, don't worry about rushing over there, 15 mins prior would be enough time to get in and get seated.
Check in was pretty effortless and we were assigned a table right up by the stage, next to the piano player. I wasn't sure at first whether floor seating was worth the extra money, but it was really nice to have a non-obstructred view and our seating choice proved crucial for events that unfolded later in the evening.
After being seated, our server quickly took our drink order. Beer and wine are included in the price, which delighted my family of lushes. The drinks are served in kinda small glasses, but our server was great and keep them filled throughout the course of the evening. The wine wasn't top quality, but it wasn't horrible. My father enjoyed the Sangria, and I got the blush wine and mixed it with Sprite to create my own spritzer, which was immediately copied by the tables around me. What can I say, I'm a trendsetter!
The food also came out quickly, and I was really worried about the quality and temperature. I know that it can be tricky to cook for hundreds of people, and I didn't have high hopes. I, however, was pleasantly suprised. The food was by no means gourmet, but for what it was, it was great. The temp. for all the food was great and the overall quality was good as well. The salad was nothing to write home about but it did the trick. The cornbread, on the other hand was excellent, and I could have chowed down on it all night. I don't eat fried chicken, but the rest of my family seemed to enjoy it, and I personally thought that the ribs were rather good. They were tender and flavorful. I also liked the potatoes, but who doesn't like mashed potatoes?
I didn't eat any of the beans either, but my dad and brother said they were good.After they brought out the food, they started up the show. I didn't have high hopes for the show either, but it really suprised me. The show was very light-hearted and played in a very tongue and cheek manner. The cast members acted as if they knew the show was really cheesey, but they were determined to have a good time with it. I don't know if it was the later show, but they cracked jokes about the christmas decorations being up before Thanksgiving, and how long the show has been playing for, and even made fun of each other. It must have been one of the first "Christmas" themed shows, because there were a few mistakes, which made it all the more entertaining and endearing. I also really like puns and silly humor and there was plently of that to go around.
The best part of the show in my opinion was the very end. Remember that we were sat right up front and when they came around looking for people to participate in the pagent I immediately started waving my hands in the air. Well they came over and chose me, and also took my brother. He was laughing at me so hard, they figured that they were going to make him get up too! We both were taken back stage, given "costumes" and a few lines. I was the can-can girl and my brother was the Indian. We totally hammed it up and had a great time, and my brothers girlfriend got the whole thing on film! It definately was a fun experience, I'd highly recommend it!
I didn't get to eat the dessert because I was making my big stage debut, but my family happily ate mine and said it was great.
All in all, it was a wonderful time and really worth it. We thought the food was good for what it was, the show was cute and funny, and being part of the pagent was great. I'd highly suggest any Hoop-de-doo doubters to take another look, we're really glad we gave it a chance!
